Who We Are

The MO Farm Tour is the locally-owned, volunteer-driven, multi-modal, fully-supported annual working tour of small-scale family farms across Missouri.

Contents

1. Farms

2. Volunteers

3. Sponsors

4. Tour Board

5. Tour Office

1. Farms

We love farms!  We are here to help!  Just let us know what we can do and we'll get started.

Requirements:

• • must be located in Missouri

  • we focus on small-scale family farms - often organic or natural - but larger operations are welcome as well

  • must have adequate guest accomodations (basic "room & board", bath & laundry, occasional phone & internet)

  • should be able to help out with transportation (i.e. gas money, bus ticket, or just picking up from previous farm)

  • should know how to be a good host

  • besides that, farms can be any size, shape, or form - we'd like to put together a nice mix along the Tour

2. Volunteers

Our Volunteers (warmly referred to as "Missouri Mules") are special people.  The Tour isn't for the feint of heart.  But for those who share our values of self-sufficiency, the pleasure of a job well done, and the breadth of possibilities the Tour holds, this is a great opportunity.

Requirements:

• • must be at least 18 years of age

  • we focus on folks interested in agriculture - future farm managers, etc - but other interests are welcome as well

  • must have a good work ethic & seasonal work clothes!

  • Tour is designed for bike & trailer combos, bus & train trips, and ride-sharing - so travel light (~2 pcs luggage)

  • should know how to be a good guest

  • and a decent sense of humor never hurts (-: 

3. Sponsors

Ah, Sponsors - God bless them!  Tour Sponsors are often farm suppliers, equipment dealers, or some other agriculture-related industry (though all Sponsors are welcome!).  The goal is for sponsorship to be mutually beneficial - financial (or material) support for the Tour now could develop into farm equipment sales or other business relationships later.

4. Tour Board

In order to make the Tour as informed and helpful to Missouri farmers as possible, we hope to assemble an informal Tour Board that will meet a couple times a year (hopefully over potluck dinners and Missouri wine - similar to German Stammtisch or "regular's table") to share experiences and ideas about the Tour.  If at some point it seems beneficial to formally organize (under a 501c5 or LLC structure) then the Board will assume those responsibilities as well.  Initially, the Tour Board will be composed of an annual rotation of 12 Co-Directors from all components of the Tour, including:

• • Farms

  • Volunteers

  • Sponsors

  • Families

  • Educators

  • Suppliers

  • Professionals

5. Tour Office

Missouri Farm Tour Director - Mike Kelly (below)

Age:  42

Birthplace:  Kirkwood, MO

Education:    Lawrence Technological University - Southfield, MI (1994-1996) - BSCE, PE - Civil Engineering (Water Resources)

                     University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, MI (1991-1993) - pre-engineering, ecology                

                     St. Louis University High School - St. Louis, MO

                     St. Peter Catholic Elementary School - Kirkwood, MO

Values: self-reliance, honesty, hard work, frugality, honor, order, humor, empathy, integrity, humility, courage, balance...

Interests:  Agriculture, Sailing, Languages, Music, Filmmaking, Watercolors

Goals: 1) gain working experience doing chores in multiple disciplines of agriculture

            2) build a network of "DIY" friends and farmers around Missouri

            3) manage a small-scale farm

            4) design & operate a "sustainable" small-scale family or community farm

Quote:  "To be Irish and to be a farmer is to know the difference between big potatoes and small potatoes..." - M. Kelly, 11/27/12

Testimonials:  what some folks are saying about the Tour...